Another Raglan Sweater or sort of

I used some leftover yarn to change the pattern to my satisfaction and to try two yarns with twisting joins and all that good stuff. It actually got long enough for me to call it a Child's Cropped Cardigan and I will put it in my stack of charity knitting. I can do better with connecting the border with the body though. It made me get out my stranded knitting and do a little review.

I included this picture to show how much yarn I had left. See the needle holding yarn? That's it...

Spring!

Spring came early! Well anyway, we had 10 days of warm temperatures and I had 10 days of yard work. I was glad to get a "leisurely" start to some things I wanted to do. Some of them were on my "to-do" list for several years.

I moved the roses back so they wouldn't get my leg when I'm mowing. I am thinking of different roses here, but moved these anyway. I would like roses that bloom longer.

I transplanted five Bleeding Hearts to thin them out and to start new areas. I LOVE Bleeding Hearts and I don't think I will ever have too many of them. They are just wonderful in the early Spring when the ferns are beginning and before the annuals are put in.

I also transplanted a day lily to the south side of the house. I do not like the color and it will not be noticed in its new spot.

This doesn't sound like much, but "cleaning up" leaves, vines etc. was also involved. Three yard waste bags, no less.

Knitting again!

I knit another baby sweater to check out a pattern available in more than baby sizes. I liked this pattern, but didn't really follow all of it. It can be the basis for other projects though. It was easy to follow and the size was "true". The color is a "too light" pink and I am sorry I chose it and not a brighter pink.

I didn't use plain stockinette and instead used a simple purl design. I think it's called Andalusian Rib. I saw it some years ago in a stitch book.

I have to figure out how to take better pictures of knitting. These are horrible, but I'm not redoing them.

More Florida!

They went to Epcot and had time for swimming.

Two trips on some of the rides.

All in all, they had a wonderful time.

Miss M. in Florida

It looked really pretty down there with all the flowers.

They had marvelous weather.

Spring Break

Miss M. and Beth left for Disney World. They will be back on Friday. I have lots to do meanwhile, but my "spring" ulcer is acting up, so we'll have to see.

Finished Five Hour Sweater

I finished the five hour sweater. I liked that it was topdown knitting, but that is about all. I did not knit a picot edge as I thought it looked too heavy.
If I knit it again, I will make these changes:
1. Use smaller needles-10.5 is too big
2. Knit the body before the sleeves using 3/4 cast on stitches at the sleeves
3. Use a seed stitch or 5 stitch garter stitch at the edges
4. Add buttonholes
5. Use different stitches on the yoke and body

Yellow Baby Raglan

Okay, I know, I shouldn't have started a new project, but I did.  This one is also a baby sweater and good knitters are able to knit it in about five hours.  I thought I would try it to see if I would like it.  I never WONDER about trying things. Never!

Five Hour Baby Sweater
I found this pattern on Knitters Paradise and it appears to be popular and quick.  I am anxious to find a "little something" that I would enjoy knitting mindlessly.

Progress so far

Three problems: Large needles (10.5),  slippery yarn (Simply Soft) and a poorly written pattern.  If the result is satisfactory, I will rewrite the pattern to my taste with not so many "repeat row" directions.  All of these problems combined in one item is going to make this more than a ten hour sweater.  My hands ache trying to manage the slippery yarn and big needles. Already I like the previously knit one better and can think of ways to change it stitch-wise.

Tomorrow it's back to work on my "Sunshine" quilt one way or another.

It was really warm today- 70 degrees when I went for the after school pickup.  I need to take a picture of the tulips coming up in the yard for future reference.

Peach Baby Raglan completed

This project is finished and could have been better!  I added the hat to use up the extra yarn, but, since my knitting is tighter than most, I think it turned out too small.  I should have added 10 more stitches, oh well.  Maybe this record will help me to remember.  Again, I WONDER why I do these things.  I know I knit tightly--compensate for that at the beginning every time.  Do you ever scold yourself? 

  

Some good things:  I wanted to knit a complete sweater without seaming, which I did; I used an acrylic yarn that worked okay and I would use again;  I could and would knit another for around $5.00, but would use a larger set of needles;  and I had a break from the afghan knitting.

They will go in my completed stash to be given away.

This is what I have been watching while I knit.  Someone on "Knitting Paradise" supplied the link and it is very enjoyable to watch.  

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

I am anxious for next month and seeing more activity with hatched eaglets.

Now to get back to quilting... I believe I have finally decided against pieced center blocks and for appliqued blocks.  It might take me a week to make a decision and I do WONDER why I let a project that is going well just sit for a week, but when I'm struggling with a design/decision it's just better to wait until that fork in the road shows up and I am pretty sure it finally did.